Ultrasonic wound debrider probe and method of use

Abstract

An ultrasonic medical probe comprises an elongate shaft formed integrally with a head portion having a distal end face oriented at least partially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The shaft is provided with an internal longitudinal channel or bore extending to the end face. The end face is formed with an indentation communicating with the channel or bore at a distal end thereof, whereby liquid is guided over an extended surface of the end face relative to the channel or bore. The head portion also has a lateral surface extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the probe. The lateral surface is provided with at least one outwardly or radially extending projection. The projection enables the application of ultrasonic cavitation energy to a tissue surface that is in contact with the lateral or side surface of the probe head.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to ultrasonic surgical instruments and associated methods of use. More particularly, this invention relates to high-efficiency medical treatment probes for ultrasonic surgical aspirators. These probes increase the ability to fragment and emulsify hard and soft tissue in a clinical environment while reducing unwanted heat and collateral tissue damage.[0002]Over the past 30 years, several ultrasonic tools have been invented which can be used to ablate or cut tissue in surgery. Such devices are disclosed by Wuchinich et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,676 and Idemoto et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,102.[0003]In practice, these surgical devices include a blunt tip hollow probe that vibrates at frequencies between 20 kc and 100 kc, with amplitudes up to 300 microns or more. Such devices ablate tissue by either producing cavitation bubbles which implode and disrupt cells, tissue compression and relaxation stresses (sometimes called the jackh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an improved ultrasonic surgical instrument for debridement of wounds. The instrument has a probe with a central bore that communicates with the ultrasonic handpiece using methods well known to the art. The probe has a form that enhances surgical efficiency and reduces the time required for the procedure. The probe has a distal end face oriented at least partially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and may have a pronounced asymmetry to improve its effectiveness on varying tissue pathologies. The probe head may be enlarged in a transverse direction relative to the shaft, and the end face may have an elongated shape or a plurality of projections to enhance its use in surgical procedures. The instrument is designed to improve the liquid flow to the probe / tissue interface and reduce the bulk temperature rise of the tissue. The technical effects of the invention include improved debridement of wounds, reduced operating time, and increased efficiency of surgical procedures.

Problems solved by technology

Such energy directors, when contacting skin or tissue, will increase volume of tissue treated per unit time and thereby reduce the operating time of the procedure.

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